dirty filthy love

 














Dirty Filthy Love – 5/5

genre: drama/romance
director: Adrian Shergold (Persuasion)
year: 2004
length: 2hrs.
language: English
RT rating: n/a
my keywords: love, OCD, obsession, Tourette's Syndrome, support group

British TV movie about a man who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Tourette's syndrome and how he copes with life & relationships.

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this is now one of my all time favorite films. fascinating the way it portrays what can be such painful, debilitating disorders in a serious, convincing, yet comical way. it shows the bad for what it is and the good as it can be. a blend of heart-break, humor and inspiration that i can't remember seeing before in such a way. i effortlessly developed such depth of emotion for the characters.

: similar movies : As Good As It Gets, Adam, The Other Sister

i am dina

I am Dina – 5/5

genre: drama/romance
director: Ole Bornedal
year: 2002
length: 2hr. 05min.
language: English
RT rating: n/a
my keywords: love, tragedy, child, loss, woman, cello, PTSD, attachment, period piece

Suffering the tragic loss of her mother and wrath of her father transforms a little girl into a primitive, eccentric, yet strong-willed, intelligent and super talented woman who knows death well, but continuously fears abandonment.

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wow. one of the strongest, most complex female characters i've ever seen in film. superb performances. one of the most bizarre experiences packed with excruciating drama, romance & horror. exquisite cinematography & not for the faint of heart.

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quid pro quo

Quid Pro Quo – 5/5

genre: drama/romance
director: Carlos Brooks
year: 2008
length: 1hr. 22min.
language: English
RT rating: 61%
my keywords: love, tragedy, paraplegic, radio reporter

A paraplegic reporter becomes tangled in a relationship with a mysterious woman who longs to be like him.

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a lot can be said about this one of a kind film that is the first i am aware of to explore the subject of people with the desire to have a part of their bodies gone or disabled. i heard of the topic before and was very interested in this daring examination of the controversial subculture. this film touches on the general topic of self-fulfillment and repression due to the criticism of society and challenge with acceptance, which can apply to us all. i think the title text on the cover being "boxed in" is a great representation that says it all. a very good performance from Vera Farmiga, whom i love, however this is probably my least favorite of hers so far. still a must see for those who love something different. love the exquisite tulip shots.

: similar movies : Dirty Filthy Love

down to the bone

Down to the Bone – 5/5

genre: drama
director: Debra Granik
year: 2004
length: 1hr. 44 min.
language: English
RT rating: 93%
my keywords: drug addiction, codependency, rehab

A woman falls in and out of rehab while struggling to take care of her kids and her addiction.

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down-to-earth, realistic portrait of one who struggles with addiction - drug or not - and the effect it can have on family. also examines the complexity of a romantic relationship that bears the conflict between love and harmful addiction and making painful decisions. yet another great performance from Vera Farmiga - i really like her.

: similar movies : Leaving Las Vegas

84 charing cross road

84 Charing Cross Road – 5/5


genre: drama/romance
director: David Jones
year: 1986
length: 1hr. 40 min.
language: English
RT rating: 80%
my keywords: bookseller, writer, England, New York, letters, pen-pals

A writer in New York keeps correspondence with an English bookseller.

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this was everything i love about movies. great acting (i love Anthony Hopkins), one of the best dialogues, charm, humor, a touch of romance and heart-warming drama. like candy for book lovers.

: similar movies : You've Got Mail

man on wire

Man on Wire – 3.7/5


genre: documentary
director: James Marsh
year: 2008
length: 1hr. 34 min.
language: English
RT rating: 100%
my keywords: tightrope walker, risk, World Trade Center

a French tightrope walker plans to fulfill his life-long dream of walking between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

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i love documentaries. this one was very unique, surprising and inspirational. however. i have to admit i dozed off and on a few times while the speakers went on and on ... and on about the extensive planning of Petit's incredibly dangerous idea. there were also too many holes, such as how were they able to afford everything? the relationships were also questionable at times. instead of extreme suspense, i felt boredom and a bit of frustration waiting for the final execution. perhaps i am one in a million who didn't find this documentary riveting. i don't regret that i've seen it, but i just wasn't blown away. what was an unforgettable, once in a lifetime achievement was documented in a film i feel i will quickly forget. never give up on your dreams - lesson learned.

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the remains of the day

The Remains of the Day – 5/5


genre: drama/romance
director: James Ivory (Howard's End, A Room With a View)
year: 1993
length: 2hr. 14 min.
language: English
RT rating: 97%
my keywords: repressed love, loyalty, butler, politics, estate

the history of a relationship between the head butler and housekeeper on an English estate post WWI.

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this was the first of Merchant Ivory Production  i had seen and it is now one of my favorite gems - one i will never forget.  exquisite performances from Anthony Hopkins, whom i adore, and Emma Thompson. such deep, powerful passion penetrates the walls that divide the characters and conceal the true feelings of Mr. Stevens who maintains an unbreakable loyalty to his employer despite his personal beliefs and dilemmas. though his expressions are so minimal and stringent,  it is impossible not to sense his feelings and not to be moved by the heart-warming performance given by Hopkins. this film is quite a full experience created by a plot rich with the strifes of international politics and the intricacy of a most endearing, yet restrained, romantic relationship that is no less convincing or moving than that between two who have had the pleasure of mere touch, hug, and kiss.

: similar movies : Howard's End, 84 Charing Cross Rd.

the secret life of words

The Secret Life of Words – 5/5


genre: drama/romance
director: Isabel Coixet (My Life Without Me, Elegy)
year: 2005
length: 1hr. 56 min.
language: English
RT rating: 70%
my keywords: love, tragedy, silence, nursing, loneliness

a very quiet young woman with a tragic past helps nurse a fire victim on an oil rig.

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very moving story and slow-paced, though unique. i was drawn in by the mysteriousness of the main character. i found it especially interesting watching the two main characters bond and form one of the most tender, touching relationships as Hannah begins to break out of her shell. also an interesting cast of characters who surround them. for some reason had a little crush on Tim Robins while watching this :).

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dream for an insomniac

Dream For An Insomniac – 4/5


genre: romance/comedy
director: Tiffanie DeBartolo
year: 1997
length: 1hr. 28 min.
language: English
RT rating: 60%
my keywords: love, romance, passion, san francisco, acting, cafe

a young aspiring actress with insomnia and big dreams about life and love works among her friends in a cafe where she meets her new co-worker.

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i almost lost grip of this in the beginning, however i saw the charm of the characters unfold and stuck with it. i'm glad i did. it's a lighthearted romantic comedy that might seem a bit unrealistic and cheesy in some ways, but i found it cute and funny nonetheless. as a sappy romantic, i share the same views (and insomniac lifestyle) as the main character, Frankie. i also found the vintage, dialogue-heavy style enjoyable. i can't get over how much Ione Sky reminds me of Natalie Portman, who i like. also, strangely enough, this film gave me more of an impression from Jennifer Aniston and i can now safely say i find her funny, tolerable and maybe ... *hesitation* somewhat likable. i converted! *cringe*

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somersault

Somersault – 5/5


genre: drama/romance
director: Cate Shortland
year: 2006
length: 1hr. 46 min.
language: English
RT rating: 83%
my keywords: love, sexuality, promiscuity, rejection, family dysfunction, attachment

Aussie film about a teenage girl who escapes the troubles of home and encounters life on her own.

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Abbie Cornish again and i love her. great performances in this movie. i think this could have been total garbage had it been american-hollywood-commercialized like many of the teen "dramas" that are produced lately. it escapes that and is a very moving, somewhat realistic story of a girl who is lost and succombs to the rejection and harsh criticism of others while in search of love and fulfillment. a great, raw portrait of how one with such a void can translate a physically intimate relationship for true love and nourishment.

: similar movies : Fish Tank

red road

Red Road – 4/5


genre: drama/thriller
director: Andrea Arnold
year: 2007
length: 1hr. 53 min.
language: English
RT rating: 88%
my keywords: seduction, crime, voyeurism, obsession, paranoia, loss

in Glasgow, Scotland, a female surveillance officer becomes obsessed with a man she finds on film.

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i'm glad i saw this very indie style thriller. several elements here - gritty, sexy (explicit sexual scene), yet chilling and full of suspense - i thought this was a refreshingly unique film with realistic characters. the plot is a bit of a slowly-moving windy road, but never lost my interest. very slow take-off, but well worth the wait and following the main character the same way she follows her object of interest. looking forward to discovering more like it.

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